YOUNG musicians are being urged to make their case for help with funding a debut album.

The Sound of Young Scotland Award, set up by the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award folks along with Youth Music and the Youth Music Initiative, is currently accepting applications.

Those aged 25 or under are eligible to apply. For bands, the primary songwriter must be aged 25 or under, and all band members should be under 30.

The artist or band must not have released an album before and at least 50 per cent of the band must be born in Scotland or has made Scotland their creative base for the past three years.

Furthermore, the artist or band must not have significant backing from a record label, publisher or private investor; and they must have control over one or more aspects of their career - self-managing, self-publishing, self-releasing or self-producing.

Artists must have an active career and be able to demonstrate work to date, and must be able to provide a reference.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of previous SAY Award Nominees and receive up to £5,000 funding to cover costs relating to the production of their debut album, such as producing, studio rentals, engineers, mixing, mastering, recording expenses and more.

The winning artist will also receive a bespoke art prize from The SAY Award Design Commission, plus a showcase slot at 2022’s final ceremony; performing in front of the biggest and best in Scotland’s music industry.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser: Applications can be made until Friday, August 13Applications can be made until Friday, August 13

MORE: Full criteria can be viewed and submissions can be made at www.sayaward.com/thesoundofyoungscotland

Applications must be submitted before midnight on Friday, August 13.